Tripoli and Algiers – Countries in North Africa like Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt are very traditional tourist destinations sought by travellers worldwide. But this area, bordered by the Mediterranean in the north and cut by the Sahara desert to the south, hides other surprises with great potential for attraction of visitors, although still little explored: Libya and Algeria.
They are neighbouring countries, with economies based on oil, similar climate and pasts, although they are very different among themselves. The presence of the Phoenicians, Carthagian, Romans, Berbers, then Arabs and, last of all, Turks, is part of the common history of the two nations, and the relics left behind by these peoples may be seen in both.
Starting in the 19th Century, however, the history of both nations followed totally different routes. Algeria became a French colony in the first half of that century, and the French domination lasted over 100 years, up to the war of independence, which began in 1954 and only ended in 1962. Libya, in turn, was invaded by Italy in 1919 and remained under Italian domain up to 1943.
With regard to projects for tourist attraction, be they for leisure or business, Libya seems to be in the lead. The country, governed by Muammar Kadafi for 40 years, opened itself to the world early this decade, after years of international embargos. New hotels and tourism enterprises arose in Tripoli and the surrounding cities. Apart from that, the government is investing heavily in infrastructure and in the oil industry, attracting businessmen from all areas.
The two new terminals of Tripoli International Airport, whose works are being developed by Brazilian construction company Norberto Odebrecht, are going to have a capacity for up to 20 million visitors a year. With this, the government of Libya, apart from promoting tourism, should make the city into an air connection hub, especially for destinations in Africa.
On visiting Tripoli it is possible to see a sample of the tourist potential of the country. Medina, an ancient centre in the city, keeps between its walls remains of several civilisations that established themselves in the territory. In the centre, for example, is the so-called Arch of Marcus Aurelius, Roman ruins that may be visited easily. In the outskirts of the city there are other well-preserved Roman sites.
In Medina and in its outskirts there is a great concentration of very popular trade, with Libyan and other African shopkeepers and street salesmen selling all kinds of products, from clothes to cigarettes and even satellite dishes. Within the walls, there is also a souk, a traditional Arab market, where local handicraft is sold.
The main entrance to the souk is on Green Square, a beacon to the modern Tripoli and a site for outings and leisure by the citizens. Another interesting building in the vicinity is the Libyan Central Bank building, a palace of Moorish architecture that calls attention. The image of Khadafi is omnipresent and appears on posters throughout the city.
One hardship is the language. Different from other countries in the region, where traffic signs, road signs and backlights are usually bilingual (in Arabic and French or Arabic and English), in Libya they are practically all written in Arabic. Apart from that, it is hard to find people who speak other languages.
But even in this area the visitors may be surprised. On sitting down to lunch or dinner, without knowing it, you may be in one of the restaurants of the Libyan Khaleed, who lived in Brazil for many years and speaks almost accentless Portuguese.
The country also has natural attractions, like the Mediterranean coast and the desert, and is already starting to attract foreigners seeking summerhouses. Among the projects under development, for example, is Palm City Residences, a condominium on the coast that is 15 kilometres away from Tripoli and is going to include broad leisure structure.
The White
The sea is also one of the main attractions of Algiers. The Algerian capital, although little visited by foreign tourists, is probably one of the most western of the cities in North Africa. Despite the scars left by the war of independence, the French influence in the country is still very strong, even more than in the highly tourist Tunisia and Morocco.
Starting in architecture. The buildings of Algiers, low, white and with blue windows, are characteristic of the French colonisation. The city is in a bay and its winding streets climb the hills, where there are beautiful views of the Mediterranean.
One of these points of observation is the plateau where Notre Dame D’Afrique basilica, built in 1858, is located. The church has multicultural characteristics. The saint, placed atop the altar, is black, like the Brazilian patron saint, Our Lady of Aparecida. In the background, prominent at the base of the temple’s cupola, is the writing: "Notre Dame D’Afrique, priez pour nous e pour les musulmans", or "Our Lady of Africa, pray for us and for the Muslims". The population of Algeria, like that of most countries of the region, is mainly Muslim.
Appreciating the white houses that granted the city its nickname of "La Blanche" (The White) and the turquoise blue sea is undoubtedly one of the best attractions of Algiers. It is not the only one. The city has other surprises, like its bustling centre and lively trade, the Kasbah, an Ottoman citadel that is included in the Unesco’s World Heritage List, and the monument to the martyrs of the war of independence. Not far from the capital, there are also many Roman ruins.
Algiers is a city where it is possible to enjoy the nightlife and visit sites the locals go to. Different from Libya, where the consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited, Algeria produces good beers and wines.
One of these sites is La Voûte, a mixture of restaurant and bar with live music, in the low part of the city, close to the port. The scenery seems to have come out of a film. There is no sign at the place, installed between the arches that support the boulevard above. When the client knocks on the door, the doorman opens a window to see who is there. On entering, the visitor is soon faced with groups of Algerians chatting happily while listening to classics of blues and rock.
Although there is a project to promote tourism, there are still not many foreigners in the streets of Algiers. The country receives around 1,500 tourists a year, much less than its neighbouring cities, but there is capacity for much more.
*Translated by Mark Ament
